What now 2026?

Listening to the lowly buzzing in the background of my mind, I tried to figure out if it was atmospheric or just my brain working overtime. At the turn of midnight as 2026 unfolded in front of my very eyes and ears, I found myself asking,

Where do I go from here?

I spent the entirety of 2025 making money, building my career, and making great memories. We did up our house, went on a lovely holiday, bought a new cat and a new dog to add to our already hairy hoard. We lost a dog and 2 quails along the way, so not every moment was good, but overall, 2025 was good to us. So why do I feel deflated?

While it is true, financially, we were the most stable we have ever been in 2025. My writing took off, and my involvement in AI training and reviewing exploded for a period where I didn't know how to fit it all into my daily routine.

That is where the issues started.

I have found that for the majority of 2025, I had been burdened (or responsible) for the financial organisation of my household. That, on top of the actual organisation of my household, has left me feeling like a wilted flower, left out in the sun too long, with no water, little oxygen, and just the right amount of sun to have some colour left in my petals, but not enough of everything else to keep me functioning and alive.

Then, Liam changed jobs twice. After 3 years of consistent work with the same company, he couldn't do it anymore. So he moved to another, less functioning, less appropriate establishment. He quit after 1 month. Now, he begins work tomorrow. A whole new chapter in his career, at 38, I say good for him. But we took a financial hit, and it couldn't have come at a worse time.

I have fewer contracts flying my way currently. Anyone who works freelance knows what a dry spell feels like. A few pennies here and there, but not enough to even pay my food bill every week. This leaves us asking,

What now?

I came up with a solution, an ask, or a demand, if you will. He works harder. I know, it sounds rough on the surface, but hear me out.

For the last part of 2024, and the entirety of 2025, I worked 30-40-hour workweeks, plus 10% for onboarding and assessments. I studied a business course, I washed the clothes, cooked the food, cleaned the house, attended to the animals, and barely had enough time to look my best self. I wanted to lose weight in 2025.

It didn't happen.

I wanted to get stronger and healthier in 2025.

It didn't happen.

I wanted to do a walking challenge in 2025.

It didn't happen.

I didn't have the time to do anything for myself in 2025, and instead spent the year working and looking after others. I began to feel drawn to the homestead life. How I wish I could quit work, bake bread every day in my apron, dust my house, walk my dogs, and feed some chickens.

But I can't. At least, not yet.

I told Liam that this is the year he makes more sacrifices, as I have been. His new job is only 39 weeks out of the year. He gets 13 weeks' holiday, plus every weekend off. But the cost is £300 a month less in wages. Not the end of the world, considering all of the extra holiday he gets, but it's a cut. This is where I suggested a day a week for delivering. Maybe a couple of days in every half-term holiday, he gets working relief jobs, delivering, working online, anything. I don't expect him to do a solid 50-hour week, 52 weeks of the year, but come on...I worked 50-60 hour weeks, every week, if you include all of the extra work I did after my actual work for nearly 18 months solid. Is it too much to ask that I get to take a step back (not completely) to get into my feminine energy while he stays in his masculine?

Maybe, but I don't think so.

He has kind of agreed, but in an mmm and ahh kind of way.

So here's to 2026 and the challenges we face.

Watch this space.